Mahamaham 2016: 30 Days To Go

Mahamaham, the largest congregation of humanity on the banks of a tank, known as Mahamamaham tank at Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu will take place on this date of next month, ie., 22nd February 2016. The tank and the whole town are getting a facelift to face such number of people. Kumbakonam dotted with many number of Siva and Vishnu temples, including tirttavari temples, will accommodate one and all with all humility. Now get ready to visit all these temples since there are only 30 days to go. 

Mahamaham Tank
Before going to the temples let us have a look at Mahamaham tank which is getting ready for the greatest spectacle.  

Within 30 days all the works would be completed and the devotees from the length and breadth of the country are expected to come over to this tank. It is expected that even before the stipulated date and time people would be coming over here. The festival would get a grand opening on 13th and culminate on 22nd of February 2016. It is advisable to visit the Mahamaham related temples and other temples in time.  Now over to tirttavari Siva and Vishnu temples.  

Siva Temples:

The Siva temples which are connected with Mahamaham are Kasi Viswanathar temple, Kumbeswarar temple, Nageswarar temple, Someswarar temple, Kotiswarar temple, Kalahasteeswarar temple, Gouthameswarar temple, Amirthakalasanathar temple, Banapuriswarar temple, Abimukeswarar temple, Kambatta Viswanathar temple and Ekambeswarar temple. In all these Siva temples, linga is found in the sanctum sanctorum. The deities of these Siva temples would participate in the tirttavari on the banks of Mahamaham tank.     

Kasi Viswanathar temple
The temple is situated on the northern banks of Mahamaham tank. The presiding deity of the temple is Kasi Viswanathar. His consort is known as Visalakshi. Gnanasambandar, Sekkizhar and Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai praised the deity of the temple. In this temple navakannis are found. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 9th February 2014.   

Kumbeswarar temple

This temple is situated at the centre of the town. The presiding deity of the temple is Kumbeswarar. His consort is known as Mangalambigai. Gnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar praised the deity of the temple. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 5th June 2009.   

Nageswarar temple

This temple is situated at the centre of the town. The presiding deity of the temple is Nageswarar. His consort is known as Periyanayagi. Tirunavukkarasar praised the deity of the temple. This temple is famous for the minute sculptures around the sanctum sanctorum and the chariot like mandapa pulled by horses. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 29th November 2015. 

Someswarar temple
This temple is situated near Portamarai tank. The presiding deity of the temple is Someswarar. His consort is known as Somanayagi. Gnanasambandar praised the deity of the temple. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 2nd November 2015. 

Kotiswarar temple

This temple is situated at Kottayur in Kumbakonam-Swamamilai road. The presiding deity of the temple is Kotiswarar. His consort is known as Panthadunayagi. Tirunavukkarasar praised the deity of the temple. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 26th October 2015. 

Kalahasteeswarar temple
This temple is situated at Mutt street on the southern bank of Cauvery. The presiding deity of the temple is Kalahasteeswarar. His consort is known as Gnanambigai. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 26th October 2015. 

Gouthameswarar temple

This temple is situated at the south-west corner of Mahamaham tank. The presiding deity of the temple is Gouthameswarar. His consort is known as Soundaranayagi. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 9th September 2015. 

Amirthakalasanathar temple
This temple is situated at a distance of 3 kms rom Kumbakonam at Sakkottai in Kumbakonam-Valangaiman road. The presiding deity of the temple is Amirthakalasanathar. His consort is known as Amirthavalli. Sundarar praised the deity of the temple. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 22nd October 2015.  

Banapuriswarar temple
This temple is situated at Kumbakonam. The presiding deity of the temple is Banupuriswarar. His consort is known as Somakamalambal. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 26th October 2015. 

Abimukeswarar temple
The temple is situated on the eastern banks of Mahamaham tank. The presiding deity of the temple is Abimukeswarar. His consort is known as Amuthavalli. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 26th October 2015.  

Kambatta Viswanathar temple
The temple is situated on the Kumbakonam-Thanjavur road, at the south-west of Kumbeswarar temple. The presiding deity of the temple is Viswanathar. His consort is known as Ananthanithi. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 26th October 2015.  

Ekambeswarar temple
The temple is situated near Mahamaham tank. The presiding deity of the temple is Ekambareswarar. His consort is known as Kamatchi. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 22nd October 2015.  

Vishnu Temples:
The Vishnu temples which are connected with Mahamaham are Sarngapani temple, Chakrapani temple, Ramasamy temple, Rajagopalasamy temple and Varahaperumal temple.  The deities of these Siva temples would participate in the tirttavari on the banks of Cauvery.   

Sarngapani temple

The temple is situated at the centre of Kumbakonam. The presiding deity of the temple is Sarngapani. His consort is known as Komalavalli. The is one of the temples sung by Alwars. The temple has a chariot-like sanctum sanctorum. This is famous for its majestic rajagopuram and its chariot like sanctum sanctorum.  The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 13th July 2015. 

Chakrapani temple

The temple is situated at the south of Cauvery in Kumbakonam. The presiding deity of the temple is Chakrapani. His consort is known as Vijayavalli. Due to the worship of Sun this place is known as Baskara Kshetram. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 8th November 2015. 

Ramasamy temple

The temple is situated at Kumbakonam. The speciality of the temple is Rama is found in pattabishega posture alongwith His consort Sita, Lakshmanar, Baradhan, Satrukanan and Anjaneya in the sanctum sanctorum. This temple is famous for its beautiful pillar mandapa with sculptures. Around the sanctum sanctorum the Ramayana is found in painting. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 9th September 2015. 

Rajagopalasamy temple
The temple is situated at Big Bazaar street in Kumbakonam. The presiding deity of the temple is Rajagopalasamy. His consort is known as Sengamalavalli. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 19th June 2015. The present rajagopuram at the entrance was built during this Kumbabishegam.

Varahaperumal temple

The temple is situated in Kumbakonam. The presiding deity of the temple is Varahaperumal. His consort is known as Boodevi. As the presiding deity has the face of a pig He was known as Varaham. The Kumbabishegam of the temple took place on 26th October 2015. 

Of the 17 tirttavari temples two are on the outskirts of Kumbakonam town. It is advisable to cover all these temples duly planned. To get the blessings of these deities, to have holy dip at Mahamaham tank and Cauvery, and to enjoy as connoisseurs of art make a visit to Kumbakonam on or before Mahamaham festivities the memories of which will be cherished in the coming Mahamahams.    

At the Nataraja Mandapa in Nageswara Temple 

References:

Mahamama Peruvizha 2004, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department
Mahamaham Souvenir 1992 and 2004